Cardenas Admits Killing Sister-in-Law

ALBION, N.Y. (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for strangling his 15-year-old sister-in-law and burying her body in an Orleans County apple orchard.

The plea by 22-year-old Carlos Cardenas came before the start of his trial Wednesday in Orleans County Court.

Cardenas told the judge through an interpreter that he put his hands around Katherine Sanchez's neck and squeezed until she died because she was screaming. Cardenas was married to Katherine's sister, Kimberly.

Cardenas had earlier said he killed the girl after the two had sex because she'd threatened to tell her sister.

Rape charges will be dropped under the plea bargain.

Cardenas faces 25 years to life in prison at sentencing Aug. 27 and possible deportation later to his native Mexico because he's in the U.S. illegally.